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Our first option is this corded model made by Black&Decker. The tool doesn’t require any setup and is pretty easy to handle, being lightweight enough to prevent strains. The 12 amps motor is powerful enough to allow you to use it along sidewalks, driveways, and so on.
The blade is made of steel and has a diameter of 7.5 inches and you can set the cutting depth into 3 different positions: 1, 1.25, or 1.5 inches.
Another great thing about this tool is that it can be converted into a trencher with the help of the pull-up edge guide.
For extra safety, this model has built-in cord retention that keeps the extension cord well-secured. At the same time, the door on guard can be easily opened for convenient clean access.
Furthermore, you can adjust the position of the handle, so no matter if you’re right-handed or left-handed, you will be able to move it according to your needs. The manufacturer warrants it for a period of 2 years and if you aren’t satisfied with the tool, you can return it within 30 days. Unfortunately, the tool doesn’t come with any extra accessories.
PROS
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CONS
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- The cutting depth can be easily adjusted by hand
- The replacement blades are budget-friendly
- Comes with 3 wheels: 2 in the back and 1 in the front
- The handle can be positioned for both right-handed or left-handed users
- Also doubles as a trencher
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- The handle is not height adjustable
- You will find it more difficult to handle on thick growth of grass
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VERDICT
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Nice option if you’re looking for a powerful and solid edger. It is made by a reliable brand in this industry, so you’ll know what you’re buying. It comes with multiple features and is lightweight enough to maneuver it with ease. The only problem may be when it comes to thicker growth. Also, it would’ve been great if you could adjust the height of the handle.
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Another corded edger that worth your attention. It is not the lightest model in our list, still, it is easy to maneuver even for a novice. It has a compact design that doesn’t occupy too much space in the tool shed.
The powerful internal motor makes it a reliable choice when it comes to keeping your lawn in shape. The blade features 3 adjustable positions allowing you to set it at 1, 1.25, and 1.5 inches for best results every time.
A great addition that you will find very useful is the cutting line indicator as you will always know the position of the blade.
The shaft is adjustable, so you can extend it to your height to increase the level of comfort. Also, it features a pivoting handle that allows better control.
When it comes to maintenance, it features an easy clean access, reducing the hassle of keeping it clean. Additionally, the electrical cord lock is a nice feature that offers peace of mind. This model comes with a longer warranty, namely 3 years and includes a blade.
PROS
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CONS
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- You have the possibility to adjust the cutting depth in 3 different positions
- Features a cord lock for extra safety
- Comes with 2 rear wheels and 1 front wheel
- Adjustable handle that allows you to use the tool without straining your back
- You can add a bevel edging blade
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- It doesn’t perform very well on thick and tall grass
- Occasionally, the blade spins loose
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VERDICT
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Overall, this model is a great choice. It features a solid construction and is very easy to handle. The powerful motor makes it a reliable choice for residential use while the low maintenance is a great plus. At the same time, this model is slightly less pricey in comparison to the previous edger. Of course there are some minor drawbacks, but they don’t affect its performance.
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This is another great model made by Black&Decker that differentiates by power source. It is battery-powered which makes it portable. When you buy this model, you actually get 2 tools at the price of 1: a trimmer and an edger.
Just by twisting and turning the head, you switch the trimmer into the edger mode. The tool is lighter in comparison to a corded model, weighing only 5.7 pounds. It comes with two 2.0-Amp-hour lithium batteries but you can set it to use one battery for longer run time or both batteries if you need more power.
Unlike the other tools, this one has 2 speeds which can be selected with the dual-mode switch. At 5500 RPM, it can handle less tough jobs, being at the same time more silent and quieter. At 7200 RPM, the tool is more powerful being able to cut tall grass without any problems.
Among the features that add more value to this trimmer edger combo are the PowerDrive transmission for high power and faster speed and the automatic feed spool that ensures uninterrupted work without bumping.
In order to prevent fatigue, the tool features a pivoting handle and an adjustable height. For more convenience, the tool comes with some pretty nice accessories, including the batteries and the charger, as well as a spool, a guard, and a handle. Additionally, it comes with a 2-year warranty against defects in material and workmanship.
PROS
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CONS
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- Powered by two lithium-ion batteries that provide up to 60 minutes of work
- Can be used both as a trimmer and an edger
- Automatic feed spool and Powerdrive transmission features
- 2 speeds available to match the maintenance needs
- Lightweight design which makes it portable
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- Each battery needs up to 4 hours to fully charge
- Even though it has an adjustable height, tall people still have to hunch over
- At high speed, the vibrations may be uncomfortable
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VERDICT
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Eliminating the hassle of a cord, this battery-powered model is a great choice for medium lawns. You can use it for multiple applications as it can trim and edge very nicely. It is lightweight, compact, and easy to use. The battery needs more time to charge but luckily you get 2 of them. At the same time, the tool tends to vibrate at high speed. Other than that, there are no major complaints.
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For a cordless edger, you can go with this model. Just like the previous tool, this one is a trimmer edger combo that helps you maintain the lawn without too much hassle. You can convert the trimmer to the edger mode with the help of the rotating head that enables a fast conversion.
At 4.2 pounds, it is the lightest tool in our list, therefore portable and easy to handle. It comes with a 20V lithium battery that needs up to 5 hours for a complete charge.
With this model, you can select the cutting width according to your needs. The 12-inch setting provides a generously large cutting path while the 10-inch path is ideal for small areas, helping you extend the running time.
The tool features an automatic single line feed, so there’s no need for bumping. For more convenience, this model also features a foldable spacer guard that extends for protecting your flowers and ornaments.
When it comes to design, the tool comes with a fixed ergonomic handle that provides a better control. Along with the trimmer/edger, you will also receive a battery, a charger, a spool, and a safety guard. For peace of mind, your purchase will be covered for a period of 3 years.
PROS
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CONS
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- Versatile tool as it converts from a trimmer into an edger
- Features an adjustable cutting width – 10 or 12 inches
- Comes with a spacer guard for protecting your flowers
- Features an automatic single line feed
- Includes an economic handle that is fixed
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- The battery doesn’t last long, so you may consider buying an extra one
- The battery needs up to 5 hours to fully charge
- The height can’t be adjusted
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VERDICT
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Great to consider if you want an edger that eliminates the hassle of a cord. As an extra benefit, it also doubles as a trimmer. It comes with some nice features that are meant to ease your work while enjoying better results. Unfortunately, as most battery-powered tools, the battery life is rather short and it needs up to 300 minutes to charge. Also, you can’t adjust the height of the tool.
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With the help of this edger manufactured by Greenworks, you will be able to cut even edges right from the first use. It features a compact design, although is not as lightweight as the cordless models.
The built-in 12-amp motor is powerful and strong which makes it a great choice for all sorts of jobs. It comes with a 7.5-inch diameter blade and you can adjust its depth according to your needs. This is possible due to the spring-assisted front wheel. The blade is made of steel and is double-edged for increased accuracy.
When it comes to safety, the cord lock feature is a great addition as you don’t have to worry about any accidental disconnections. You can adjust the tool to your weight with the help of the shaft that can be extended.
Additionally, the auxiliary handle allows you to customize it for more comfort and increased control. You won’t receive any accessories with this tool but you will enjoy a long 4-year warranty.
PROS
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CONS
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- Features a cord lock to prevent any disconnections
- Generous 4-year warranty
- You can adjust the shaft and the auxiliary handle
- The depth of the blade can be easily adjusted
- Features a double-edged blade
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- Occasionally, it may tip on the side as the wheels are too close together
- In order to run, you have to hold the power on button continuously
- The replacement blades are a little bit pricey
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VERDICT
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All in all, this corded edger works well and is available at an affordable price. It is powerful, being able to cut nice edges and it comes with some helpful features. Also, it is the model that includes the longest warranty. What we don’t like is the fact that you have to hold the power button during the operation and this can be a little frustrating. Also, the wheels are not very well positioned as they are too close and the tool may tip on the side very easily.
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With 2 functions – edger and trimmer- and automatic feed spool, this tool is perfect for multiple jobs. It is equipped with a 4.0 Ah battery that can be used with other Black+Decker tools that share the same type of battery.
It features a dual mode switch that allows you to opt for 2 modes – high power and extended run time. The first mode is suitable for tough jobs and the second one provides up to one hour of work.
Switching from trimmer to edger and vice versa is very easy and it doesn’t take more than several seconds. For achieving perfect edges, it comes with a nice orange wheel that guides you when you edge the lawn.
A really nice feature is the Power Drive transmission that helps provide the same power regardless of the type of grass. This means you can achieve the same results even if you have to cut weeds.
The tool is lightweight and you will find it very easy to control. This is also because the handle can be adjusted to a comfortable length. For safety reasons, the tool also includes a guard.
It does need some minor assembly before the first use. Both the string guard and the handle need to be attached.
PROS
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CONS
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- Can also be used as a trimmer
- You can increase or decrease the power according to the difficulty of the job
- Can easily handle weeds and heavy grass
- Very easy to use and lightweight, so your hand won’t get tired
- You can adjust the handle as you like
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- The battery needs more time to charge
- Tall people may find it a little too short – even when the handle is adjusted to the highest position
- Tends to vibrate when used at the high power setting
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VERDICT
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This tool is suitable for small yards. We like the ease of use as well as the constant power it delivers. It comes with a single 4.0 Ah battery but you can also opt for the two 2.0 Ah batteries model – that is Black+Decker LST420.
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Check the Price
This is a cordless edger that will help you keep your garden neat without effort. It is very easy to handle and quite versatile. It features a compact design and it is lighter than most models – weighs 10 pounds.
The dual serrated blade of the edger is 9-inch long blade and 0.25-inch thick allowing a maximum cutting depth of 2.5 inches. The depth can be easily adjusted – with the adjustment lever – by selecting one of the four positions available. For increased stability, the tool comes equipped with both front and rear wheel.
You will find the tool very user-friendly as the front handle is adjustable, allowing you to position it below or above the coupler. In order to prevent fatigue while using the unit, the handle is over-molded.
Safety is highly important when using this type of tools, so the manufacturer added a lock-out, thus eliminating the possibility to start the tool accidentally. Unfortunately, the tool doesn’t come with the battery – requires a 18V battery – and the charger, so you will have to buy them separately. In what concerns the warranty, it is covered for a period of 3 years.
PROS
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CONS
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- Features a front and rear wheel to increase its stability
- The blade is reversible
- Overmold handle that can be adjusted
- Can be locked to prevent accidental starts
- The adjustment lever allows you to set the desired depth of cut
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- Doesn’t include the battery and the charger
- Rather hard to cut in straight line as it doesn’t have a metal guide
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VERDICT
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This edger is cheaper but only because it doesn’t come with the battery. Anyway, this may be an advantage if you have a Ryobi ONE+ tool as it is compatible with all the batteries designed for the ONE+ tools. As a result, you will be able to save more money.
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Worx gardening tools are among the most affordable and functional options at this moment. Therefore, we come with another option for you. The Worx WG184 is a 2-in-1 tool, so you can use it as a trimmer or as an edger.
The transition from one function to another is very simple as you only have to push a button to use it as an edger. The advantage is that instead of buying 2 separate tools that most probably are more expensive, you will only buy one tool. This is a great option especially if you don’t have too much free space in your garage or tool shed.
The tool is very efficient and powerful as it is equipped with dual 20V batteries. The batteries and the charger are included, so you don’t have to buy them separately.
Designed to easily manage up to 1/2 acre, the trimmer/edger is perfect for any small to medium sized garden. You will find it easy to handle, especially because it features a pivoting cutting head and a straight shaft.
Additionally, you have the possibility to adjust the speed with the built-in variable speed controller.
PROS
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CONS
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- The Command Feed system allows it to instantly feed 0.25 inches of line
- Features a 2-in-1 design – can be used as a trimmer and edger
- The parts are compatible with many other Worx tools that are part of the Power Share program
- Features an accessory wheel storage that promotes easy and quick access
- You can select the speed to save the battery life
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- It is rather heavy, so you may find it uncomfortable to use for a long period of time
- The length of the line is pretty small which means you have to get it very close to the grass
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VERDICT
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If you have plenty of tools in the tool shed and you want to save more space, you can try this 2-in-1 tool. It is easy to handle, comes with some nice features, and last but not least, it is very powerful.
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Corded vs. Cordless vs. Gas Models
There’s a reason why we selected only electric edgers. From our point of view, they are a better choice for residential lawns. The comparison table below will show you exaclty why we came to this conclusion.
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Corded |
Cordless |
Gas |
| Power |
Powerful than cordless models but not ideal for tough jobs |
Perfect for maintaining small lawns |
Very powerful which makes them suitable for larger lawns |
| Weight |
In general, they are the lightest models |
Their weight depends on how heavy is the battery – in most cases they are slighly heavier than corded models |
The heaviest and their weight is directly linked to the fuel tank capacity |
| Portability |
Limited mobility as the depend on the length of the power cord – for more convenience you can use an extension cord |
No cord involved so they are extremely portable |
No cord involved but their weight makes them more difficult to maneuver |
| Noise |
Quiet |
Quiet |
Rather noisy |
| Environmentally Friendly |
No fumes |
No fumes |
Emit fuel fumes |
| Maintenance |
Minimum maintenance such as replacing the blade |
Battery needs to be recharged regularly and may need to be replaced after a certain period of time |
Require regular maintenance such as filling the tank with gas or emptying it when stored for a longer period of time, addying carburetor, etc. |
| Price |
Less expensive than gas models |
Similar in price with corded models, slightly more expensive |
The most expensive ones |
3-Key Factors You May Want to Give Thought to Before Buying
After deciding you want to go with an electric landscaping edger, it’s time to take the next step. This one refers to the main aspects that differentiate a good edger from a cheap one. And when we say cheap, we don’t necessarily refer to price but also to materials, performance, and so on.
- Power: for keeping your lawn sharp you need a powerful tool. While there are many characteristics that matter when we refer to edgers, one of the first things you need to consider when you start your research is the power of the motor. When it comes to this type of tools, a model with a strong motor will have around 10 amps. Of course, the more amps, the better but usually, most of them don’t exceed 12 amps. However, this is enough to deal with small to medium sized lawns. All the corded model selected by us have 12 amps, so they are powerful enough to handle tough jobs. A good battery-powered model usually delivers around 18V of power but in general, is not as strong as a corded one. The models made by Black+Decker and Worx boast 20 volts of power, so they are even better that majority. However, if you want a more powerful edger you should opt for a corded electric one.
- Blade&cutting depth: besides power, you need to pay attention to the blade. And here we refer to the material it is made of, the diameter, the cutting depth, and so on. Most durable blades are manufactured from steel, so you can trustfully use them to cut through thick grass. Of course, now and then, for various reasons, the blade needs to be replaced, no matter how solid it is. In what concerns the cutting depth, we recommend you to look at a model that features adjustable depth. Most cordless tools have a maximum cutting depth of 1.5 inches while the corded ones allow you to adjust the depth of the blade in various positions.
- Weight&size: one of the things that makes the electric edgers more popular than gas-powered ones is the fact that they are lighter. This means you can handle them much easier. Those that come with rechargeable batteries are even more lightweight, being the ideal solution for those who don’t want to strain their back. From this point of view, Worx WG154 is the best option you can go with as it weighs only 4.2 pounds. Although they want them to be powerful, people also tend to buy compact tools as they are easier to store and maneuver. All the models picked by us are compact enough to fit pretty much everywhere you want to store them. Comfort is important when you edge your grass, so you may want to check the height of the tool and if this can be adjusted to your height. Some models, like Worx WG154 and Black+Decker LE750 can’t be adjusted and they are only 11, respectively 11 inches tall. Also, Black+Decker LST420 and LST 400 features an adjustable height but is still short for some people.
We can’t decide for you but we hope that our research helped you find more about these machines. From our point of view, the winner is Black+Decker LE750 because it successfully blends high performance with ease of use. Also, this is the only model that converts into a trencher. However, it is slightly more expensive and doesn’t handle very good thick grass. Our second option, Worx WG896, features a similar performance only that it comes with a longer warranty and a blade. If the price is your first criteria when looking for this type of machine, then you can confidently go with Greenworks 27032. It works pretty well, and as a bonus, it comes with a long 4-year warranty.
For those who want more mobility, we recommend Black+Decker LST420 or LST400. The machines come with a powerful battery and some nice features that really make a difference. Nevertheless, it is rather difficult to find a cordless edger that doesn’t double as a trimmer. This may be a good thing, as you get 2 lawn maintenance equipment in 1 but the general opinion is that these combos are less performant than dedicated edgers.
Frequently Asked Questions
?What's the Life Expectancy of These Tools?
There’s no exact answer to this question but in general, landscaping edges are made to last for many years. Considering the fact that some tools are warranted for 3 or 4 years, you should expect them to last several years more. However, the life expectancy also depends on maintenance.
?Which Are the Maintenance Instructions for These Tools?
Each manufacturer provides a user manual where you will find the maintenance instructions. Make sure you follow them to extend the life of the edger. Usually, electric models require less maintenance. There are only certain things you need to do. After you finish using the tool, remove the debris on the edger and inside of the guard. Clean the machine with mild soap and a damp cloth and avoid letting any liquids inside the machine. For extending the battery life of cordless models, you have to remove the battery after every usage.
?How to Prevent Corrosion?
These tools can easily corrode due to the garden chemicals, so it’s recommended that you clean the parts before storing the machine. Use only a damp cloth and perform this procedure after each usage.
